Authorities on Saturday stated that 80 per cent of the arms looted, in connection with a recent clash between Hunphun and Hungpung villages in Ukhrul district, Manipur have been recovered and intense search efforts are continuing to recover the remaining weapons.
After the violent law and order situation in Ukhrul district on Wednesday, senior police officers led by IGP I K Muivah along with DIG Worngam Ningshen and SP Ningshem Vashum were deputed to Ukhrul to assist the district administration in restoring law and order along with BSF and Assam Rifles, stated a release.
It recalled that an agitated mob attacked Ukhrul Police Station and looted 20 arms during the intense conflict. The weapons that were taken away by the mob were recovered on Friday, it mentioned.
ALSO READ: Manipur: Mob storms Ukhrul PS, 21 arms and ammunition looted
A direct conflict between the conflicting parties has ceased from Wednesday evening till date by deploying adequate security forces consisting of Civil Police, Manipur Rifles, Assam Rifles and BSF and also by getting cooperation of the leaders of the two villages, it stated.
Intense search efforts were made by security forces for recovery of the lost weapons, it stated, thanking the role of CSOs and leaders for their cooperation and help rendered in locating and recovery of the looted Arms.
The release named the headman, Hunphun Village and All village authorities, chairman, Hunphun Executive Council and his colleagues, HKL president and his Colleagues, Hunphun Shanao Long for their roles in recovery of the arms.
It also acknowledged social worker Somatai Shaiza, Khayui Raleng, Yaalui Zingkhai, Soso Shaiza, Agnes Shaiza, commander, 10 Sector Assam Rifles with his officers and personnel, Adhoc Commandant BSF with his officers and personnel and reverend Zaklei Kaping, Pastor, Phungyo Baptist Church for their assistance and help.
The unprecedented and exemplary cooperation given by the CSOs and various functionaries mentioned above to the police in the recovery of the looted arms is laudable and appreciated, it added.
ALSO READ: Manipur: Three killed in Ukhrul violence, several injured
Earlier on Friday, Transport Minister Khashim Vashum visited Ukhrul and met with CSO leaders of Hunphun village to recover the looted arms.
Minister Khashim Vashum returned to Imphal after holding a meeting with the CSO leaders of Hunphun Village. IGP(Ops) IK Muivah, who had been stationed at Ukhrul since the clash, had been staying in Ukhrul to oversee the law and order situation, while taking up measures to recover the looted arms. However, with the 80 per cent recovery of the looted arms and significant improvement in the law and order situation in the areas, he has also returned to Imphal.
After the clash took place between the two villages resulting in deaths and injuries, an order issued by DGP on Wednesday evening posted the OC of Chingai Police Station Wungmahai Marchang as OC of Ukhrul Police Station. While, OC Ukhrul Chuingam Ningshem has been posted at Chingnaningai Police Station as OC.